Huntingdon Valley Tree Disease & Insect Control
Eliminating Pests and Treating Diseases in Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer, and Hunterdon Counties
Trees and shrubs can be affected by a variety of insects, bacteria, and fungi. Professional diagnosis by one of our ISA-certified arborists at Willow Tree and Landscape Services is the first step in solving the problem.
Since 1983, our experts have been controlling insect and disease problems on trees and shrubs in our local communities. Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control services are rooted in a thorough understanding of the most recent research concerning tree and shrub insects, diseases, and treatment methods.
Once we have identified the insect or disease problem affecting your tree or shrub, our team will develop a personalized treatment strategy – taking into account weather and growing conditions – to treat the insect or disease at the optimal time. Our licensed applicators use all of the most up-to-date treatment methods and products, including tree injections, soil injections, basal trunk treatments, foliar sprays, horticultural oil, horticultural soap, and natural insecticides.
If you think one of your trees or shrubs may be in danger because of disease or insects, request a free inspection and quote by calling (215) 607-6321 or contacting us online!
Tree Diseases We Treat
Our experts at Willow Tree and Landscape Services have the tools and knowledge to swiftly diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases that afflict trees. We research and leverage the latest and safest treatments to effectively combat ailments, and our team is often able to detect symptoms before they become obvious.
Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control experts can help treat many types of ailments, including:
- Anthracnose. This leaf disease affects a broad variety of deciduous trees. It thrives on cool, wet weather during bud break. It can cause leaf damage and premature leaf drop.
- Apple scab. This fungal disease commonly affects species of apple and crabapple trees. It affects newly developing leaves, triggering green or brown lesions. Damaged leaves can appear deformed and are susceptible to drop earlier in the year. Pear trees can also get “pear scab,” which has similar symptoms and treatment methods.
- Ash rust. This fungal disease affects several species of ash trees. It creates easily visible orange spots and growths on leaves and can cause premature leaf drop. The timing of this disease’s potential appearance can vary considerably from year to year, and generally, no treatment is required.
- Ash yellows. This disease affects several different ash tree species and is caused by a microbe. Symptoms can vary, but this disease causes slowed growth and the general decline of the tree.
- Bacterial leaf scorch. This bacterial disease can afflict a number of tree species but in our region is frequently found to affect oak trees. Symptoms include browning – or “scorching” – of the outside of the leaf as well as premature leaf drop.
- Black knot disease. This fungal disease affects most species of plum and cherry trees and shrubs. It causes distinct swollen “knots” on the branches of trees and can trigger dieback.
- Bleeding canker. This fungal disease is most commonly associated with European beech trees. It is a potentially fatal disease if untreated. The disease causes dark, wet-looking areas on the bark.
- Botryosphaeria canker. This fungal disease typically affects stressed or weakened trees and shrubs. Many different woody ornamental plants can be affected by this disease, which causes rough sunken areas on the bark that can lead to branch dieback.
- Boxwood blight. This fungal disease has been found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and affects boxwood species. Currently, it is mainly a problem for nurseries. There is no current treatment strategy, and, unfortunately, any infected plant must be destroyed.
- Cedar apple rust. This fungal disease affects juniper, apple, hawthorn, and serviceberry trees. Symptoms can vary based on the species of the host tree but generally include changes to leaf and fruit appearance.
- Cytospora canker. This fungal disease affects blue and Norway spruces, causing branch dieback. The disease typically appears on stressed trees, particularly ones without adequate water. The dieback first starts on lower branches and proceeds up the tree.
- Diplodia tip blight. This fungal disease affects a wide variety of pine trees. Symptoms include the browning of new needles, new shoot death, and branch and tree death.
- Dutch elm disease. This fungal disease primarily affects the American elm tree but can also affect other elm species. It is fatal if untreated, as it attacks the vascular system of the tree.
- Fire blight. This type of bacteria can affect a wide variety of landscape trees but is most frequently seen on apple and crabapple trees. Symptoms are most often seen during flowering and include wilting and blackened branches and flowers.
- Gummosis on fruit trees. Gummosis is the oozing of sap from the wounds or cankers of fruit trees. There are several possible causes, including tree injury, environmental stress, insects, and diseases.
- Lichens. Lichens are frequently found growing on the trunks of trees. They do not harm trees, so no treatment or management is necessary.
- Needlecast. This fungal disease affects evergreen trees, causing needle drop.
- Powdery mildew. This fungal disease appears on a wide range of plants, shrubs, and trees. This disease appears on the leaves of plants as a white powdery fungus that can cause distorted leaves and premature leaf drop.
- Slime flux. This bacterial disease can affect a number of mature trees, particularly elm species. Symptoms are quite obvious, as cracks or wounds in the bark will have liquid bubbles. You may also see long streaks running down the bark of an affected tree.
- Thousand canker disease. This fungal disease primarily affects black walnut trees. The disease involves the interaction of the walnut twig beetle and a fungus. It was first found in Bucks County in 2011. Damage inside of the bark leads to tree death.
- Verticillium wilt. This fungal disease enters root systems and disturbs water and nutrient movements within trees. Symptoms include smaller than normal leaves and browning on the margins of leaves. In many cases, symptoms will first appear only on one side of the tree.
- Volutella blight. This fungal disease affects pachysandra, causing discolored leaves and sometimes plant death.
Early intervention is crucial, so do not wait to request our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control services if you suspect one or more of your plants may be in trouble. Call (215) 607-6321 or contact us online.
Common Insects That Damage Trees
No one wants to see their trees or shrubs suffer from pest infestations. Left unchecked, many species of insects can compromise the health of your plants, leading to weakened structures, diminished growth, and in severe cases, death. Our arborists can treat existing infestations as well as help you take preventative steps to reduce the likelihood of future attacks.
Our Huntingdon Valley tree and shrub disease and insect control professionals can help manage and eliminate many types of pests, including:
- Aphids. Species of this insect are frequently found on many common landscape trees and shrubs. These sucking insects can damage plants through their feeding activity. They can also be a vector for other diseases and trigger black sooty mold that discolors or damages plants.
- Bagworms. This insect is most common in several species of evergreen trees, including arborvitae, pine, and spruce. The insect damages trees by feeding on their needles and leaves. The insect is most often noticed when it forms large bags or cases that suspend from branches.
- Birch leafminer. This insect most often feeds on the leaves of paper birch and grey birch trees. The insect “mines” in between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf, causing irregular brown areas. Damage most often appears first at the top of the tree, though these pests can sometimes defoliate the entire tree.
- Black vine weevil. This destructive insect feeds on many plant species but is a key pest of rhododendron, euonymus, Japanese holly, and various yew species. The larval stage of this insect feeds on roots and can cause extensive damage or death. The adults feed on the leaves and cause notching damage.
- Box elder bug. Most commonly associated with the box elder trees, these insects are most commonly noticed due to their tendency to invade homes and become a nuisance.
- Boxwood psyllid. The American boxwood is most often associated with this insect, although it does feed on other varieties as well. This sucking insect causes cupping and damage to growing leaves.
- Bronze birch borer. This boring insect can cause severe damage or death of entire limbs and trees. It affects white, paper, and cutleaf weeping birch trees. This insect tends to attack stressed trees that are not properly irrigated and fertilized. Damage typically first appears at the top of the tree.